Judge Doris L. Downs: Biography & Judicial Service | KnowJudges


# Doris L. Downs
Senior Judge · [Fulton County Superior Court](/kyj/court/ga/fulton-county-superior-court)

## Doris L. Downs at a glance
Current roleSenior Judge
Court[Fulton County Superior Court](/kyj/court/ga/fulton-county-superior-court)
Current assignment[Fulton County Superior Court](/kyj/court/ga/fulton-county-superior-court)
JurisdictionGeorgia · State
Judicial serviceActive

## Biography

### Professional career

- 2018–present: Senior Judge, Superior Court of Fulton County
- Specialized Roles: Drug Court Judge (2002–present), Mental Health Court Judge (2007–present)
- Assistant District Attorney, Fulton Superior Court (1985–1996) Attorney, Child Support Recovery Division, Fulton County (1981–1984) Associate, Cotton, White & Palmer (1984–1985) Judge, Fulton Circuit (1996–2018)
- Previously Chief Judge of Fulton County Superior Court (2004–2010)
- Also held the role of Fifth District Administrative Judge (2004–2010)
- Judge Doris L. Downs) involving a federal. 1983 claim, which the court dismissed for lack of factual basis — there is no record in the provided sources of a formal judicial disqualification or disciplinary action
- Her current position as Senior Judge reflects her continued role in the court system, though she no longer sits as an active trial judge

### Education

- University of Georgia — cum laude — J.D. (1981)
- Political Science, University of Georgia — cum laude — B.A. (1977)

### Additional information

- Senior Judge of the Superior Court of Fulton County, Georgia, serving since 2018 after a career on the Fulton Circuit bench from 1996 to 2018
- Recognition includes the Pillar of Maimonides Award (2010).
- Recognition includes the EPIC Inspiration Award (2010).
- Recognition includes the Atlanta Bar Association Leadership Award (2009).
- Recognition includes the Thomas More Award (2007).
- Judge Doris L. Downs is a long-serving, highly decorated jurist in Georgia’s judicial system, with a career spanning over three decades in public service, including leadership roles in the Fulton County Superior Court.

## Sources

Identity source checked August 25, 2026.
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### Georgia Courts Directory
Identity source · HTML · Source checked August 25, 2026
[View Georgia Courts Directory ↗](https://georgiacourts.knack.com/gcd2/#directory-entries/entry-details/58af0240ce9168f520c4dd86/)

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## Published courtroom rules

### Shared court rules

- [Uniform Superior Court Rules](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-815bee855bfd141a25d75d36) — Superior Court proceedings. Collected April 9, 2026 compilation; amendments effective November 5, 2026 are future on this collection date and are not applied. Section-specific exceptions, waivers, later amendments and case orders remain applicable. This is a source excerpt, not an exhaustive statement of the rule. [Official source](https://assets.georgiacourts.gov/4/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/14025702/UNIFORM-SUPERIOR-COURT-RULES-2026_04_09.pdf). Collected 2026-10-27.